With an indifferent expression, Xiao Yan left the hall and, in a somewhat distracted manner, followed his usual habit and slowly climbed up the back mountain of his family. He sat on the wall of the mountain, calmly gazing at the rugged mountains opposite him that were shrouded in mist - the infamous Magic Beast Mountain Range of the Gamma Empire.

  "Haha, strength is everything... In this world, without strength, youre not even worth a pile of crap. At least crap doesnt get trampled on!" The boys shoulders slightly shrugged, his low, self-mocking laughter carrying a sense of sadness and indignation as he wandered slowly at the mountain top.

  His ten fingers were inserted into his black hair, Xiao Yans teeth tightly bit his lips, and the faint bloodstain spread from the corner of his mouth. Although he didnt show any inappropriate emotions in the hall, Nalans words were like a knife cutting through his heart, making Xiao Yans whole body tremble...

  "Todays humiliation, I dont want to suffer a second time!" Xiao Yans voice was hoarse but firm as he spread out his left hand with a bloodstain.

  "Heh heh, little doll, looks like you need some help?"

  Just as Xiao Yans heart was etched with a vow, a hoarse and eerie laughter suddenly entered his ears.

  His face changed, Xiao Yan suddenly turned around, his sharp eyes scanned the area behind him, but he didnt see even half a figure...

  "Haha, stop looking, its on your finger."

  Just as Xiao Yan thought it was just an illusion, that strange laughter sounded again without any bounds.

  His pupils contracted, Xiao Yans gaze suddenly stopped on the black ancient ring on his right hand.

  "Are you talking?" Xiao Yan suppressed the terror in his heart and tried to calm down his voice.

  "The little dolls determination isnt bad, she didnt even get scared into jumping down." A teasing laughter echoed from the ring.

  "Who are you? Why are you in my ring? What do you want?"

  After a brief silence, Xiao Yans clear and concise inquiry brought out the key question.

  "Who I am doesnt matter, just know that I wont harm you. Sigh... after all these years, Ive finally met someone with a strong enough soul to pass the test. What luck! Hehe, but first, I must thank Little Doll for her offerings over the past three years. Otherwise, Im afraid Id still be asleep."

  "Offering?" He blinked in confusion, and after a moment, Xiao Yans small face suddenly darkened, his icy words squeezing out from between his teeth: "The mysterious disappearance of the Dou Qi in my body, was it your doing?"

  "Haha, Im also helpless, dont blame me, little one."

  "I screw your mom!"

  Xiao Yan, who had always prided himself on being calm and composed, suddenly jumped up like a madman, his small face twisted in a fierce expression. Without hesitation, he yanked off the ring on his finger, which was a keepsake left by his mother, and with all his might, flung it downwards into the abyss...

  The ring had just left his hand, and Xiao Yans mind suddenly cleared. He hastily stretched out his hand to grab it, but the ring that had left his hand had already fallen straight down the cliff...

  Staring blankly at the ring that had disappeared into the fog, Xiao Yan was stunned for a good while before his small face slowly calmed down. He slapped his forehead in regret: "Idiot, too rash, too rash!"

  Only now did he realize that the mastermind behind his humiliation for the past three years was actually the ring he had been wearing all along. No wonder Xiao Yan would lose control like this.

  Sitting at the edge of the cliff for a while, Xiao Yan finally shook his head helplessly, got up, turned around, and suddenly stared with his eyes wide open, his finger trembling as he pointed at something in front of him...

  In front of Xiao Yan, a dark and ancient ring was currently floating in the air. What shocked Xiao Yan the most was that above the ring, a transparent, old figure was drifting about...

  "Heh heh, little doll, no need to be so furious, right? Its just that you absorbed three years of Dou Zhis aura." The transparent old man said with a smile, staring at Xiao Yan who was stunned.

  The corners of his mouth twitched, and in Xiao Yans voice, suppressed anger: "Old guy, since youre hiding in the ring, you should also know how much ridicule Ive brought to you because you absorbed my Dou Qi?"

  "Could it be that in these three years of ridicule, you have grown? Do you think that if it were three years ago, you would have had the forbearance and wisdom you have now?" The old man smiled faintly and said indifferently.

  His eyebrows furrowed, and Xiao Yans emotions gradually calmed down. After his furious outburst, excitement followed. Now that he had uncovered the mystery of the disappearance of the Dou Qi, his innate talent must have also returned!

  As soon as he thought of finally having the chance to shed his useless title, Xiao Yans body felt almost reborn with comfort. The detestable old man in front of him didnt seem too annoying anymore.

  Some things are precious only when theyre lost! Losing and regaining them makes people cherish them even more!

  He lightly stretched his wrist, and Xiao Yan let out a long sigh, looking up to say: "Although I dont know who you are, but I want to ask, do you still want to rely on the ring to absorb my fighting spirit in the future? If thats the case, I advise you to find another host, I cant afford to raise you."

  "Heh heh, no one else has your extraordinary soul perception." The old man stroked his white beard and chuckled: "Since I chose to reveal myself, from now on, I naturally wont absorb your Dou Qi without your permission again."

  Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and coldly smiled without saying a word, he had already made up his mind that no matter how eloquently this old thing spoke, he would not let him follow himself again.

  "Little doll, do you want to become stronger? Do you want to be revered by others?" Although his mind had already classified the old man as someone not to be trifled with, in these words, Xiao Yans heart still skipped a beat.

  "Now that I know the reason for the disappearance of the Dou Zhis aura, with my talent, do I still need to get stronger with your help?" Xiao Yan slowly took a deep breath and said calmly. In his heart, he knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and it wasnt a wise decision to accept the kindness of a mysterious person without knowing the reason.

  "Little doll, your talent is indeed good, but you should know that you are already 15 years old, and your Dou Qi is only at the third stage. I seem to have heard that you will be having your coming-of-age ceremony next year? Do you think that in just one short year, relying solely on diligent practice, you can soar to the seventh stage of Dou Qi? Moreover, you previously made a three-year bet with that young girl, and her talent is not much lower than yours. You want to catch up with her and surpass her, but its not that easy." The old mans face, full of wrinkles, was like a blooming chrysanthemum at this moment.

  "If it werent for you absorbing my Dou Zhis aura, would I have been humiliated by her like this? You old scoundrel!" The old man had struck a sore spot, and Xiao Yans face darkened once again as he cursed loudly, his teeth clenched in rage.

  After a loud scolding, Xiao Yan himself became disheartened. At this point, no matter how much he scolded, it would be of no use. The foundation of Qi training was especially important. When he was four years old, he had practiced for six whole years before possessing the Nine-Stage Qi of the Dou. Even though his innate talent had recovered now, wanting to cultivate his inner Qi to the Seventh Stage in just a years time was basically impossible...

  Xiao Yan let out a dejected sigh, his eyes flicking towards the transparent old man who was pretending to be profound and mysterious. His heart skipped a beat as he sneered, "You have a way, dont you?"

  "Perhaps," the old man said with a vague and strange smile.

  "You helped me reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi in just one year, and you absorbed my three years worth of Dou Qi before. Lets just call it even, how about that?" Xiao Yan asked tentatively.

  "Heh heh, little doll is quite calculating."

  "If youre not going to be of any help to me, then why should I bother carrying a burden like you around? I think its better for you to find another unlucky soul to cling to..." Xiao Yan sneered, after chatting for a bit, he also realized that this transparent old man seemed unable to casually absorb other peoples Dou Qi.

  "You dont look like a fifteen-year-old boy at all, it seems that in these three years, youve really grown up a lot. Can this be considered as me reaping what I sowed? Looking at the slick Xiao Yan, the old man was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a mixture of laughter and tears."

  Xiao Yan spread out his hands and said lightly: "If you want me to continue worshiping you, you should at least show some sincerity?"

  "Ah, youre a sharp-tongued little brat! Fine, fine, who made me still have to ask for your help, you little scamp?" With a resigned nod, the old mans body descended to the ground. His gaze swept over Xiao Yan several times, and a sly smile flashed across his face before quickly disappearing. After hesitating for a moment, he seemed extremely reluctant to speak: "Do you want to become an alchemist?"